[gedereco]

Hi all,
hope everyone had a good christmas. just in the middle of moving into my new house and should start building my workshop in a few weeks . i am cladding it with red cedar. what i would like to know is . if i should treat it with a preservative or should i leave it natural and if i do how long will it last before it would need replacing. not the best weather in the uk at moment .. your help would be appreciated..:icon_wink:

 

[Big Dave]

I think it's a personal preference. The cedar should last for several, several years without any protection but it will turn a nice silvery gray. If you protect it, it will retain it's natural color but it will be a maintenance issue needing recoated every 5 years or so. You can also stain and protect with some finishes, changing the color to something more to your liking. Sikkens would be the finish of choice if it were mine.

 

[TexasTimbers]

gederco,

I did a ton of research for my Eastern Red Cedar. The thing about UV protection is that they still have not found a completely clear UV finish that is both clear AND highly effective, such as finishes that have heavier pigmentation which, will at least stain your siding a different color to a degree which is often undesirable.
The good news is, DEFY has come up with an epoxy-fortified product that is both highly effective AND only slightly stains the wood. They do have a pure clear, but it is suggested for minimal sunlight exposure.
I would not choose a particular stain until you read their product specifications. i have used the clear and can't believe how it resists fading; even compared with samples of other highly pigmented UV stains I've tried in the past. I am sold on this stuff. Dave I bet you would have an interest in it too.

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